December 4, 2008

Iowans encouraged to call Iowa Mortgage Help at 877-622-4866

Des Moines – Iowa’s already successful “Iowa Mortgage Help” initiative has received an additional $766,925 to support Iowa’s mortgage counseling efforts. The additional funds will enable the Iowa Mortgage Help program to continue its outstanding progress and serve even more homeowners, Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Bret Mills said Thursday.

The “Iowa Mortgage Help” initiative was created in late February of 2008, as an enhancement of the “Iowa Foreclosure Hotline.” It has received more than 12,000 calls and provided approximately 3,500 Iowan’s with individualized, confidential counseling to best address their mortgage situation.

The hotline currently receives an average of 22 calls a day, from all corners of the state.

“Iowa has a strong record in response to the national housing crisis," said Attorney General Tom Miller, “but we know there are more homeowners out there who are beginning to feel the pressure. We encourage them to call 877-622-4866 or visit www.iowamortgagehelp.com right away."

Des Moines resident Zakiya Jenkins called the Iowa Mortgage Help hotline, and credits it with saving her home. “I always paid my bills on time, but things became tight, after receiving many empty promises from a mortgage broker. I missed one payment and things kept escalating and I couldn’t dig out on my own. Thanks to 'Iowa Mortgage Help', I’m on the road to financial security,” Jenkins said.

The grant to support Iowa’s efforts was provided by funds from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, and administered through a competitive application process by NeighborWorks® America. Iowa was awarded $651,750 through the grant and an additional $115,175 in cash and in-kind services. The initial funding was provided by Congress in the FY08 Consolidated Appropriations Act and additional funding was provided through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

"I want to congratulate the ‘Iowa Mortgage Help’ partnership of state and local agencies,” said Governor Chet Culver. “Together they have assisted thousands of hard-working Iowa homeowners and now have the opportunity to reach even more.”

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Following is a list of local counseling agencies that are part of the Iowa Mortgage Help initiative, including contact information for each organization.